It is Hard Being a Teacher!

The teaching profession has become very hard to be in these last days.  The expectations are unrealistically high.  Teachers have to be reinventing themselves to fulfill the high expectations of the ministry without additional funding.  To add insult to injury, they mop teachers on the floor of the media to make teachers feel that they are under the microscope with the hope that teachers can become more accountable.  Many of the teachers feel demoralized and disrespected by public figures with some form of accreditation and the teachers union was accused of protecting lazy teachers. Lately when one speaks to teacher, the response is that of demoralization, lack of motivation and depression.

Here are some of the things that have face the Jamaican teachers,
a. frozen salaries for five years only to get a meager increase
b. reduced funding for the department
c. parents who have a perception that teachers are time wasters and not stimulators and facilitators
d. badmouth them in PTA meetings or attack them verbally in public or on the school compound.
e. Condescending attitude from some educational supervisors.

There are more but I think one understands what is happening therefore, it should be no surprise that the Jamaican teachers have decided to take their practice elsewhere. Good teachers began the exodus three years ago and because of the remarkable work they have done to schools abroad, they are being sought after by agencies of schools that have heard and witnessed the Jamaican teachers at work.  Last year, approximately 40 teachers did not return to their jobs the beginning of the new academic year and more are expected to go as the recruiting agencies have traveled to the island to conduct interviews to teachers who are willing to walk away from the battle field of the local classroom to better situations.

 

It seems that the education system in Jamaica is forced to make serious decisions.  The Science, Mathematics and English teachers are the set of trained teachers that are in demand. Educational institutions have become concerned that they will not find teachers returning to their jobs each month.  The schools are left in an atmosphere of uncertainty and so is the education ministry.  The harsh tones that were spoken to teachers have become soft and compassionate.  The economics of the times persuade decisions of workers so that they can attain and provide a quality of life for the their children. 

It is hard being a teacher in the Jamaican system.  The choice has to be made to be loyal or to be wise.  Can a teacher's job be made easier?